Bzzzz zzz [ZigBee wireless standard]

The author discusses the question of whether the ZigBee wireless standard, promoted by an alliance of 25 firms, a big threat to Bluetooth? ZigBee, developed for the 2.4 GHz band, looks rather like Bluetooth but is simpler, has a lower data rate and spends most of its time snoozing. This characteristic means that a node on a ZigBee network should be able to run for six months to two years on just two AA batteries, claim its backers. However, there are questions about ZigBee´s viability. The target of building automation as the main application makes technical sense but it is a field notoriously slow at adopting new technologies. In other proposed applications, ZigBee seems to tread on Bluetooth´s toes but the technical and price advantages are marginal and unsubstantiated: there are no finished ZigBee chips and low prices necessitate very high volumes.